The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it seized smuggled items worth N81 million in different operations to ensure energy security and economic stability.

The area controller of the Kebbi Area Command, Iheanacho Earnest-Ejike, while briefing reporters in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said the command recorded a 67.6 per cent increase in revenue generation.

”In June, the command seized smuggled goods comprising 11,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 40 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 50 bales of secondhand clothing.

” Others are 28 cartons of diclofenac tablets and 100 jerrycans of vegetable oil.

“The total duty paid is valued at N14.7 million, and the value of the seized PMS, which will be given to the public, is N8.1 million and will be paid to the coffers of the Federal Government,” he said.

Mr Earnest-Ejike noted that the command was able to generate N25.8 million in June, saying it was a 67.6 per cent increase as compared to the previous month of May.

Also briefing reporters at the command, the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussaini Kehinde-Ejibunu, said the operation seized 661 kegs and 15 drums of PMS, adding that the drums contained 200 litters each, translating into 79,500 litres of PMs.

” The duty paid value is N55.7 million. The interception was made across Kebbi and Sokoto state,” he said.

The coordinator urged members of the cartel to have rethink and go into legitimate businesses, vowing, ”We will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs. There is no place for their illegal activities.”

(NAN)